On Monday, March 15, AHDI and MTIA submitted an official comment to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT (ONCHIT) on the proposed regulations for “meaningful use” and EHR certification. In addition, over 75 AHDI and MTIA members submitted comments. These comments have helped set the stage for the messaging we will take to the Hill, calling for CMS and ONCHIT to explicitly recognize in the regulations that the dictation-transcription process is a viable method of data capture that can be used to achieve “meaningful use.” To read the official AHDI-MTIA comment, click here.

We are excited to announce that DSG has secured a room on Capitol Hill that we will be able to use for a briefing and orientation on the morning of Wednesday, March 24, before meeting with legislators. Members also will have access to the room throughout the entire day.

For anyone interested in attending the AHDI national board of directors meeting, it will take place on Tuesday, March 23, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Advocacy Summit 2010 host hotel, the Marriott Crystal City in the Potomac Ballroom, Salon F. The meeting room will have open gallery seating for approximately 20 people.

We encourage you to come to Advocacy Summit and to ask your colleagues to do the same, as this is a critical time for defining our value proposition. If you do come, we will be sure that your experience is meaningful and impactful. Click here to learn more about Advocacy Summit. If you have any questions concerning attending Advocacy Summit or anything else, please contact AHDI/MTIA staff member Greg Doggett (gdoggett@ahdionline.org, 859-512-3284).

Advocacy Summit

We need your letters!

The Advocacy Summit is a week away and there is a final push to submit letters to our legislators. Your voice with your perspective is extremely important right now. We need you to ask the federal government to acknowledge the medical transcription sector as a vital contributor to quality of care, patient safety, and successful EHR adoption.

Take a few minutes to download the Note: There is a file embedded within this post, please visit this post to download the file. and edit the model letter with your message and submit it today. Instructions on how to address your letter are available with the model letter. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to leave a comment or contact us.

Re-print from OAMT Newsletter, Spring 2006 ~ 4 years later and still relevant.

ad•vo•ca•cy (n.) The act of pleading or arguing in favor of something, such as a cause, idea, or policy; active support.

It’s 2 a.m. and I know I’m asleep, but I hear a voice nearby…someone gently saying, “I’m going to blow your brains out.” I’m so tired, but the voice inside me is telling me to wake up…you need to wake up…I know you have been up for 72 hours, but WAKE UP!!! I hear it again…”I’m so sorry, but…” the pillow comes flying off of my head…the one I was using to shield all the lights and sounds of being in a hospital room. Then I realize the voice is the phlebotomist hovering over my sister’s arm, attempting to draw blood for her 6-hr PTT. “What did you say? What’s going on?” I asked. “I’m going to blow her veins out if I keep trying.” Oh, veins, NOT brains!!! Super patient advocate reporting for duty! “Okay, explain to me what is going on and what are the options?” He gently says we can try different approaches, including a PICC line, but someone needs to tell the doctor to order something. “Aren’t you going to speak to him?” I asked. “No, you need to tell the nurse this is what you want and they can talk to the doctor.” “How would I know to suggest this if you had not recommended it? Why is it up to me to tell the nurse to relay this information to the doctor? You’re the professional here.” “No ma’am, I’m just a phlebotomist” he responds. “You are not JUST a phlebotomist. You are the person responsible for getting enough blood out of my sister so they can run the PTT to determine if the heparin drip is dissolving the massive PEs in her lungs. Tell me what I need to do and I will do it!”

Flash back a month, my sister is having a BE to determine if there is a blockage in her colon. She has a reaction to the contrast with pain, nausea and vomiting so severe I am called into the x-ray suite to help her. Finding her hyperventilating, half-naked in a tiny restroom, I ask for some blankets, washcloths, grab a chair, and I started Lamaze breathing (hey, whatever works). After 2 hours, I ask the x-ray tech to please do something. She tells me “I’m just an x-ray tech. There’s nothing I can do.” My immediate response, “Well, I’m a medical transcriptionist and there’s a LOT I can do! Get her doctor on the phone, get me some fresh towels, and find a room for her!!” Within 30 minutes we had her in a room, appropriately medicated, and 7 hours later she is rehydrated and able to go home.

Flash back 5 months (November 2005). I went into caregiver mode while my 56-year-old sister and her husband lived with us during her recuperation following a partial colectomy with loop ileostomy bypass. I came to know everything about her I&Os, every wince, when she was in pain, if her stoma was inflamed, what is a new “normal” and what is not. Four months later she should have had her takedown procedure, be back home and working again. Instead, this viable, strong-willed, energetic production manager over dozens of workers, is back in the hospital for a revision colectomy for severe diverticulitis, fistula and stricture. This was her second surgery and 4th time under general anesthesia since November, with a couple colonoscopies in between to assess the situation. Instead, she has SOB, pelvic and back pain, fevers, and on a few occasions, pain and swelling in her knee. I relayed this info to her doctor, she spoke to him about, and even at the second preop she made them aware of it. Nonetheless, they are proceeding with another procedure. I arrive at the hospital just as she is being prepped and they rush me though as she wants to see me. As I go into the preop area, she says to me, “Oh good, there’s my advocate.” I give her a kiss and tell her I’m right here as she drifts off to sleep. They went forward with the 6-hour procedure, 3 transfusions, and one week postop she still has a heart rate of 110-120, temp of 101, and O2 saturation at 94% with oxygen and 83% on room air. They were going to discharge her when suddenly the night before her heart rate soared to 204. They figured it was equipment malfunction as it was back to 115 when checked manually. They assumed it was anxiety about being discharged and gave her a sleeping pill. This is despite her telling the nurse her heart was pounding so fast and hard it felt like it was going to pop out of her chest. This entire time I am home with a cold, unable to hover like I had for so many months. Then I get the call. Her nurse tells me, “your sister has massive pulmonary emboli in her lungs, which we found on CT chest. We are starting aggressive measures to dissolve these as quickly as possible.” PE…no two letters in the alphabet grab my attention more than these…stealth, unpredictable killers. I start asking questions again. What does this mean? What can it do? What are our options? Then she puts my sister on the phone. Her breathing is labored and she asks, “Kathleen, what does this mean? I don’t understand what they are saying. What is going to happen? I’m so confused.” How do you tell your big sister over the telephone she has a condition that has been present for weeks/months and could be fatal, but that I will do everything in my power to not let that happen? I fly into advocate mode once again. I throw some things in a bag, grab my laptop and head to the hospital, exclaiming “I’m not leaving until she leaves!” It’s her birthday and friends have stopped by to give their best wishes, but with looks of absolute fear on all their faces when I walked into the hospital. Do something, they say. Don’t let this happen to her. Giving her a gentle kiss, wishing her happy birthday, and whispering to her that her advocate is here…I go off to introduce myself to her nurses, informing them I am a medical transcriptionist, HIPAA compliancy officer for my company and President of the Oregon’s association for medical transcription, and thus, I would like to obtain the necessary release of information forms, and requested a house supervisor contact me about reviewing her records since her admission. (I had her obtain her records from all the previous visits prior to this admission, only to find the “PROCEDURE PERFORMED” section of her November operative report had a big blank where the MT could not understand the dictation…very appropriate, better to put a blank than guess, but the doctor electronically signed the report without filling in this all-important section!) Over the course of the next 3 days no one followed through on that request, IVs ran dry, meals were not delivered, pain medications were delayed sending her into a pain level of 10/10, and my heart ached…and all this happening with me right there. This should not be happening…someone should be reading the records we so carefully transcribe. Someone should be paying attention to the details. My career-long mantra has been “accurate and timely documentation for continuity of care.” Why isn’t anyone reading it? Why aren’t they seeing the red flags? Why do I have to be demanding second opinions, consultations, diagnostic tests and attention to the details? Because, if I don’t, who will?

Just in case you are wondering how it all turned out…For her colectomy and once she was properly diagnosed with the PEs, my sister received outstanding care from some very attentive physicians, nurses and CNAs. We are all human, and we make mistakes, and this could have been a fatal one, but she is doing well, on appropriate treatment, looking forward, at last, to that elusive takedown procedure, and appreciating how fragile and precious life truly is.

If we don’t educate ourselves, know what the expectations are, what the options are, and speak up, the quality of healthcare is going to continue to decline. There are so many areas within our industry that need us to speak up about: credentialing, education, funding for externships, interoperable technology to ensure secure and available information, appropriate reimbursement rates, affordable health benefits for all Americans, and most importantly, quality health care.

Register now to discuss current events in healthcare, advocacy and board initiatives.

As of February 18, 2010, there are 52 registered for the Advocacy Summit to be held March 23 through 25, 2010, in Washington DC. Registration is at approximately the same point as was in 2009, and we eventually registered approximately 75; however, we are hoping with the help of MTIA partners that we will be able to reach the 100 registrant mark this year!

To help in the registration process, AHDI is offering the “deal of the month” of $15 off registration for this event. The “Early Bird” registration has ended, but the $15 discount will certainly help! If you are planning to attend Advocacy Day, it is urged that you register as soon as possible. Our Advocacy partners, Dewey Square Group, are helping us with appointments this year and in order for them to get the appointments set up in plenty of time, they need to know where we are all coming from and who we need to see. Please go to the AHDI site’s Advocacy Summit page and register as soon as possible!

This year’s official Advocacy Summit Hotel will be The Marriott Crystal City. It is located directly above a metro stop and a short ride from the capital building, making it an extremely convenient location for travel to and from Capitol Hill. The special room rate for the Summit attendees will be single and double occupancy rooms for $175 per night. Triple occupancy rooms will be $195 per night and quadruple occupancy rooms will be $215 per evening. Please keep these rates in mind while filling your room. Please remember that these special group rates expire on Monday, March 1, 2010, so if there is even the slightest chance you will be going, please make your reservations now. If you would like to save some expense and need to find a roommate (or roommates), please contact Miranda Youkhaneh of our awesome AHDI staff at will take care of this for you. A great way to network with your peers and make new friends!

Please also check out the 2010 Advocacy Summit User’s Guide by clicking here. The guide provides you with valuable travel information, a list of what to bring with you to Capitol Hill, tips for talking with legislators, and maps of the Washington, DC subway system and Capitol Hill. Business casual dress is encouraged and please wear your most comfortable shoes. Unless you can walk a 5k in heels, you will not be comfortable in anything less than a good pair of flat walking shoes! Appointments will be spread out and some can be at least a half hour away from each other, even walking at a fast pace!

Just in case you cannot be there in person at the Summit, there is still a great way to participate, right from your own home! Letter writing is a great way to be involved and support fellow members who will be on Capitol Hill. With the all the technological and regulatory changes facing the health IT sector in general and medical transcription in particular, it is particularly important this year that as many members as possible support our advocacy efforts to secure a viable and successful future for healthcare documentation professionals and medical transcription companies. Please click here for letter-writing instructions and a model letter.

Looking forward to seeing all of you at the Advocacy Summit this year!!! Let’s make this year our best year ever!

Over the next six months, the team will host a series of Town Hall meetings both in person and online to brainstorm new approaches, services, and models to best serve the needs of our members and position MTs for long-term success in this rapidly changing environment of health care. We will examine the 1) purpose of components, 2) tactics for collaboration and sharing of best practices, 3) ways to ensure financial stability, and 4) engagement models.

All AHDI members, component leaders and members, and delegates are invited to participate in the Town Hall meetings. The online Town Hall meetings will be announced in Vitals as they are scheduled; and face-to-face meetings will be held as follows:

• March 25, 2010 (in conjunction with the Advocacy Summit)
  2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
  Marriott Crystal City; Arlington, Virginia
• April 16, 2010 (in conjunction with the AHDI-West Conference & Advocacy Day)
  9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
  Hilton Garden Inn–Phoenix Airport North, Phoenix, Arizona

Following the Town Hall meetings, there will be a Leadership Summit held at ACE on Wednesday, August 4, 2010, for our Component Presidents, House of Delegates, and national AHDI Board of Directors. Please mark your calendars. Our goal for the Summit will be to reach final consensus on a blueprint for the future and specific paths forward in the four areas outlined above.

If you have questions or would like more information on this important initiative, please contact Linda G. Brady, CAE, director of member relations by email: lbrady@ahdionline.org.

When I first got into advocacy, it was for reasons other than my understanding of government doings or that I felt I had a pressing need to go to the legislators with a message. I attended for the mere reason that I wanted to go to Sacramento with my friend, Sandy, for the experience of being in Sacramento. I knew I had to go to the capitol and participate, and maybe learn something; however, I was hoping we’d finish up that agenda and go have some fun on the town, eat a good meal, and get to network with friends and peers – that’s what I was after. Surprisingly I got that and more. When we arrived in the capitol, I was thrilled by the landscaping, the building, and the beauty of the architecture and art inside. While attending the meetings with the group, my eyes were scanning from ceiling to floor, taking in the interesting history and décor of each office. The messages I was hearing started to make sense, got me thinking about my own transcription service and transcription school, and suddenly a sense of urgency arose. I had to get involved now and I had a reason. I wanted the officials to know that medical transcription was a profession and not a joke – that our jobs needed definition and we had to come out from behind the desks in our home offices, make it known who we are, what we do, and the importance of our tasks.

Following Sacramento, Sandy and I signed up for our first national advocacy in Washington DC. Again, I felt like I was going on a holiday. Upon arrival to DC, the same magnificence of the historical buildings, monuments, and the capitol itself brought a sense of intrigue and importance. We spent 2 days speaking with legislators, learning the ropes from our peers who had done this before, and it was actually easy. You have to remind yourself that these officials are in these offices because of our votes, and the messages that we had regarding our profession were well received and appropriate to the time

While we did benefit from the opportunity to steal away for a few hours here and there, and managed to shop, tour the Capitol, tour Arlington’s cemetery, did a nighttime run to the White House in the rain (stood at the fence in the pouring rain for one minute – imagining what it must be like to live there – wondering if the residents are looking out to see strangers holding onto a fence in a downpour ). Any anxiety that I came with was quickly dismissed as I began to formulate ideas of my own about why my presence was important.

I’m going back in March 2010; my thoughts about this career go along with this group attending with me; however, I have been able to add to the group message my own ideas of where medical transcription is heading and why quality documentation is important for patient safety, in addition to the importance of educating students to a level where they can actually function as qualified and skilled workers. Then there are my thoughts and opinions as they relate to my medical transcription service and the many opportunities of this career.

The travel is awesome and the company great fun. Consider joining us and give it a try. If you can’t travel, you can be involved virtually. The experiences have brought an important change to how I feel professionally. Advocacy, for me, has brought me full circle in my career and ultimately connected the ends.

AHDI-West Legislative Liaison

Over the last year, fellow MTs have asked me this question often with regard to Advocacy and to be perfectly honest, I’m not quite sure. One day, I was registering for the annual California state meeting in Sacramento and the next, I’m advocating for our profession in Washington DC. Quite a stretch for an MT from Glendora, CA! But thinking back, perhaps it was a very logical step and one that needed to be taken on my part.

It was February 2009 and my friend, Maggie, and I were making plans to attend the annual CA educational meeting. The registration form arrived and the organizers had decided to have an Advocacy Day in Sacramento one day before the meeting began. As someone who has tried to give back to a profession that has given me so much, it seemed like a good idea to venture out and try something new. Why not advocate?

Little did I know that this step into the unknown would lead me on a new and exciting path at this point in my career. With absolutely no knowledge of what I was getting into, it has definitely been an education into the legislative workings of our government and the ways in which laws and amendments in DC affect all of us—even in Glendora!

Did I know what I was doing when I started? Absolutely not! Do I know it all now? You’ve got to be kidding! Would I volunteer to do it again? In a heart beat! I would like to encourage everyone to take a leap of faith, try something new and exciting and become involved. It is a step on a path you will never regret!